i io OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES. 



is, that if a thing needs to be done, it should be done 

 at once, with railroad speed, no matter whether it 

 regards politics, morals, religion, or horticulture. And 

 I wantonly take the risk of being condemned for an 

 arrant conservative, when I express my belief that 

 there are a great many good objects in life which 

 are accomplished better by gradual progression to- 

 ward them than by sudden seizure. I shall not stay 

 to argue the point with respect to negro suffrage, or 

 female suffrage, or a temperance reformation, or the 

 clearing out of Maximilian's Mexican Imperialism 

 which are a little removed from the horticultural 

 arena, where our humbler questions are discussed 

 but I shall urge a graduation and culmination of 

 triumphs in what relates to rural life and its charms. 



One meets, from time to time, with a gentleman 

 from the city, smitten with a sudden rural fancy, who 

 is in eager search for a place " made to his hand," 

 with the walks all laid down, the entrance-ways es- 

 tablished, the dwarf trees regularly planted, the con- 

 servatory a-steam, and the crocheted turrets fretting 

 the sky-line of the suburban villa. But I never heard 

 of any such seeker after perfected beauties who was 

 an enthusiast in country pursuits, or who did not 

 speedily grow weary of his phantasy. He may take 

 a pride in his cheap bargain ; he may regale himself 

 with the fruits and enjoy the vistas of his arbor ; but 



